The results in all of last weekend’s Premiership matches certainly fell right for Harlequins. The only real disappointment, last weekend, was not getting a fourth try and that precious bonus point against Bristol, which would have lifted the team to third place. The events last Sunday were quite remarkable, as Quins salvaged a last gasp try to prevent an upset, effectively seal Bristol’s Premiership fate. Quins win was fashioned the hard way, allowing Bristol to go ahead half way through the first half with a converted try, and despite a try of their own, Quins went in 7-5 down at the break. When Strettle crossed the try line Quins fortunes were on the rise only to fall again when Chris White awarded a dubious penalty try, which was converted. Quins dug deep, and a third try scored by Monye snatched the away win. Earlier that afternoon there was an exciting tussle between London Irish and Leicester, with the visitors “out of sight” with ten minutes to go. Irish scrambled back and by the final whistle had picked up two more bonus points to maintain their league position. With Quins and Leicester winning by the same margin Quins maintained their wafer thin points advantage over the Tigers to go forth.

The top of the Premiership remains very tight, with nine points between Gloucester in first and Bath in sixth, who have two games in hand. It is very likely that at the end of the season the same clubs will feature in positions one to six, but in what order? Saracens, who are Quins opponents this weekend, are poised in seventh and bridge the gap between the top six and bottom five who now appear to be too far adrift from the leaders. A win for Saracens would maintain their chances but, a loss will all but scupper their chances of finish in the upper levels.

As has been reported Saracens or should that read Safacens have had a torrid couple of weeks after the axe looms above the club. Saracens put in a spirited performance against Sale last Sunday, showing how in the face of adversity they can pull together and play as a team. Despite the announced cull of 15 players from the Squad, the team fronted up their opponents and edged a one [point victory against an in form Sale, who were without Hodgson. This has to serve as a warning to Quins as Saracens may be down they are certainly not out.  Despite the friendly banter between both sets of supporters, you cannot help but feel compassion for the Fez Heads, who are still stunned by the news that their historic club is about to be taken over by a South African group of investors. I m sure the supporters of other clubs may well be thinking “there but for fortune” it could have been us. The club up is to be managed former South African (Irish) coach Brendan Venter taking over from Eddie Jones, and the possible relocation to Craven Cottage in Fulham, “to create a rugby home for South Africans”. Venter said that there was so much South African rugby talent in England and I believe that we can create a team which they can identify with and I hope to make Saracens that team”. Surely you can still do that without having to replace your current squad with imports. The takeover still has  to be approved by the RFU, so requests for a one minute silence before Saturday’s kick off may be a little premature, but the relentless march of business taking over professional  Rugby Union appears to have advanced yet further.

 The prospect of another great game is in place with a result hard to call. The two sides met on the first day of the season over the road at TW1, indeed all the matches this weekend are the opposite fixture first day of the season, unbelievably six months ago.

Quins narrowly squeaked a result from that away encounter winning 21-24 winning a well-earned but nail-biting win, and as AlanQuin reported that day,  “Only the most determined of defence over the last seven minutes as Saracens looked for the match-winning try, saw Quins home as the clock ran down with agonising slowness.” I think we can expect the same again this weekend. Despite the lowly position of the their opposition last weekend Quins struggled to close out the match, and as they have down a number of times this season have had to play the full 80 plus minutes to get a win they could easily have achieved earlier in the game.

Another close match, Quins, hopefully with a returning Care and Evans will win with their home advantage, but I believe Saracens will get a losing bonus point as a consolation, to take home to Watford.

Come on You Quins!

 Other fixtures this weekend include;

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Quinssa Meet the Management Evening Part 3